Despite its previous decision to review the case, on Monday July 29th Florida’s Supreme Court reversed itself, announcing it would NOT answer the question of whether insurers could use policy language that required approval of AOB’s by “All Named Insureds.” [Read more…] about NON-DECISION ON AOB–Not as Bad as it Sounds!
Advocacy
“What’s Past is Prologue!”
The ink from Governor DeSantis’s signature on HB-7065 wasn’t even dry when some of Florida’s worst trial lawyers began perverting reform benefits into billable hours.
Two days after the Legislature adopted HB-7065 (April 24), Harvey Cohen, the self-described “Johnny Appleseed of AOB”, posted a YouTube video imploring his unscrupulous minions to quickly send him all their AOB cases. This, in an apparent attempt to squeeze in more suits before July 1, the effective date of the new law. [Read more…] about “What’s Past is Prologue!”
Assignment of Benefits–Restoration Association of Florida?
Google “fronting organizations” and you’ll find a variety of definitions and examples.
Wiktionary says a fronting organization is one that “…secretly acts as the public face of a covert group.” Wikipedia says it’s “…any entity set up by and controlled by another organization”. Examples are intelligence agencies, organized crime groups, banned organizations, religious groups, political groups, corporations, and… “advocacy groups”. [Read more…] about Assignment of Benefits–Restoration Association of Florida?
Assignment of Benefits—It’s About Rates!
Pssst… abuse of Assignment of Benefits is about insurance rates!
Sure, hundreds of lives are upset by scammers twisting the original intent of AOB. And yes, this generates exponential increases in litigation. And sure, if you insist…it’s because some roofers, public adjusters, water firms, plumbers and attorneys are simply greedy, but…
…AOB is mostly about the gargantuan premiums we will all be paying if trial lawyers in the legislature continue to roadblock reforms. (See The Politics of AOB) [Read more…] about Assignment of Benefits—It’s About Rates!
ASSIGNMENT OF BENEFITS–the Politics of AOB!
Those looking to understand the politics of AOB need look no further than the next two words: ATTORNEY FEES!
At its core, Assignment of Benefits is a scheme birthed by one law firm and materially employed by roughly two dozen others—solely to stuff their pockets via a perversion of Florida’s well intended “one-way” attorney fee statute fs. 627.428. (fs. 626.9373 for the non-admitted market). [Read more…] about ASSIGNMENT OF BENEFITS–the Politics of AOB!
My Mediation Story!
I may have been in the insurance industry for 40 years, but…when it comes to Florida’s mediation statute, I’ve been a lay person. I had no idea how useful and easy (and free) state sponsored mediation could be. That’s until December 2010 when, late one holiday evening, our cozy fireplace popped a small flaming ember onto the rug immediately in front of the hearth.
In the seconds it took to find the TV remote and pause our movie, locate the appropriate fireside tool and flick the menacing cinder back from whence it came, a silver-dollar sized hole was seared into our high-end, deep pile carpet. [Read more…] about My Mediation Story!
PUBLIC ADJUSTERS–“…Do Some Charge Too Much?”
A personal note: for those thinking I don’t like public adjusters, don’t even go there. It’s neither relevant or true. I have friends who are public adjusters. They are honest, hardworking professionals. They agree with me on this. As do many I do not know. [Read more…] about PUBLIC ADJUSTERS–“…Do Some Charge Too Much?”
Assignment of Benefits–Agents & Plumbers; “Get the Picture!”
Several months ago I called a plumber to my home. The supply line behind the master bathroom toilet was leaking and needed immediate attention.
This plumbing firm was well known to me. Its’ technicians had previously installed a tankless gas water heater (that has worked flawlessly for 10 years) and even replumbed an entire residence I rented to tenants. You may remember my July 2014 blog about this plumbers excellent work repairing a leak beneath my garage slab. Read the blog I wrote here. And, see pictures on my Facebook page here.
In fact, after posting the blog and pictures I was contacted by local insurance agents asking for the plumbers’ name, which I gladly provided. They wanted to recommend the firm to their clients. Or, more wisely perhaps, just put the firms name on a list of plumbers and water remediators to give to clients in need of assistance.
Anyway, after my trusted plumber plugged this most recent leak, which had been going on for some time creating a moisture problem behind the walls and on the floor in an adjoining bedroom, it was obvious a complete dry out was needed. So… I did exactly what I advise everyone else to do when they have a moisture problem… I called Rytech.
[Read more…] about Assignment of Benefits–Agents & Plumbers; “Get the Picture!”
Assignment of Benefits—David & Goliath!
A handful of trial lawyers serving in Florida’s Senate blocked any reform of Assignment of Benefits (AOB) this year. In fact, fearing it would pass, they didn’t even allow debate on a compromise House version overwhelmingly adopted each of the last two years—this year 82-20. [Read more…] about Assignment of Benefits—David & Goliath!
Public Adjusters—a family affair!
In 2015 I reported on the arrest of Jorge Fausto Espinosa Sr., arguably one of the most criminal public adjusters in Florida history. Now I’m happy to share recent reports of his 20-year sentencing.
Unfortunately, these reports only scratch the surface of the decades of havoc this scumbag wrought. [Read more…] about Public Adjusters—a family affair!